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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M W. WHITE. BASE BAR FOR VIOLINS.

Patented Sept. 23, 1890.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

M. W. WHITE.

BASE BAR FOR VIOLINS.

No. 436,963. Patented Sept. 23, 1890.

my ah M W- w 055m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAURICE \V. IVHITE, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE IIALF TO GEORGE IV. ROSS, OF SAME PLACE.

BASE-BAR FOR VIOLINS.

SPECIFICATION fanningpart of Letters Patent No. 436,963, dated September 23, 1890.

Application filed November 18, 1889. Serial No. 330,670. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Beitknown that I, MAURIGE W. WHITE, of

Soinerville, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Base-Bars for Violins and the Like, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to construct a basebar for violins and the like, by which the quality of the tone may be increased and the instrument strengthened.

In accordance with this invention the basebar is made substantially the same length as the body of the instrument, so as to bear firmly in contact with the supporting-blocks at each end, which support the neck and tail pieces. The bar comprises a back and a flange, the latter contacting with the under side of the face of the instrument, but terminating a short distance from the neck and tail blocks, respectively, while the former is made quite wide, extends the length of the instrument, and bears against the end blocks. At a point beneath the bridge the bar is preferably slightly curved, and also at this point the part which contacts with the under side of the face is preferably removed.

Figure 1 shows in side elevation abase-bar embodying this invention; Figs. 2, 3, and 4, details of the tail-block; Fig. 5, a side view of amodified form of base-bar to be described; Fig. 6, a plan view of the bar shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a cross-sectional detail to be referred to; Figs. 8 and 9, side and plan views of another modification to be referred to.

Referring to Fig. 1,the back a and the face I) of the instrument are as usual, so, also, the neck-block c.

The tail-block (Z is made substantially as shown in United States Patent No. 402,118, granted to me April 23, 1889, it being arranged to receive the peg and hold the cord or string by which the tail-piece is held free from contact with the face of the instrument.

The base-bar comprises the back part e and flange 6, the former extending the entire length of the instrument, bearing at one end against the neck-block c and at its other end against the tail-block (I. As herein shown, that part of the tail-block (I located between the face and back of the instrument is re cessed to permit the base-bar to pass through and bear against the exterior part (1' of the block. I preferably complete the base-bar e at the tail-block end by a small block 6 (see dotted lines, Fig. 1, and full lines, Fig. 4,) so that, if desired to ever vary the length of the bar, a new and larger block may be substi- 6o tuted or a part removed from the one already In use.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the block e as formed as a part of the bare or all in one piece. The back part c of the bar is made as wide as possible and not deteriorate the qual ity of tone to insure good and sufficient strength. The flange e is made narrow and contacts with the face of the instrument the entire length, except at a short distance beneath the bridge and also a short distance at each end adjoining the neck and tail blocks. (See Fig. 1.) The base-bar thus presents in cross-section a T-shaped bar. (See Fig. 7.)

In lieu of employing a tail-blocksuch as shown in Fig. 1a11 ordinary form of tailblock-such as shown at f, Fig. 5may be used, the end of thebasebar bearing against the said block.

Owing to the direction of strain on the in- 8c strument when the strings are drawn taut, I have curved the base-bar at a point beneath the bridge, as at e although this is not of particular importance.

I may continue the flange c beneath the bridge, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The back part c, for flexibility, is reduced in width for a portion of its length, as shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8-that is, along the part of greatest vibration-although good re- 0 sults are produced with a basebar having a back part of substantially the same width, as shown in Fig. 9;

It will be seen that, as the tendency of the instrument is to yield or spring when the strings are drawn taut, the barmade to firmly bear against the neck and tail blocks materially assists in strengthening it.

I claim- 1. A base-bar for violins and the like, hav- I00 ing a narrow flange contacting with the face of the instrument and'having a back part supporting it, substantially as described.

2. A base-bar for violins and the like, having a flange contacting with the face of the instrument at each side of the bridge and the back part c, substantially as described.

3. A base-bar for violins and the like, having a flange contacting with the face of the instrument and a broadened back part, the latter being curved, as at a at a point beneath the bridge, substantially as described.

4. A base-bar for violins and the like, having a flange contacting with the face of the instrument and having a back part reduced name to this specification in the presence of 25 two subscribing witnesses.

' MAURICE W. WHITE.

Witnesses: BERNICE J. NOYES, E. J. BENNETT.

eX- 2O 

